Peterborough Conservative Party leader reacts as former Tory councillor is convicted of rape and child sex offences
The leader of the Conservative Party in Peterborough has said the party followed all protocols and procedures in the case of Rylan Ray following his conviction for rape and a number of child sex offences.
On Thursday, October 29, Rylan Ray was convicted of more than 20 offences following a trial at Ipswich Crown Court.
The former councillor represented the Conservative Party after he was elected to represent the Eye, Thorney and Newborough ward in 2022.
Ray remained a city councillor after he was charged, and he was remanded into custody awaiting his trial – only losing his seat in the May elections.
Following Ray’s conviction, the Peterborough Telegraph asked Peterborough Conservative Party leader cllr Wayne Firzgerald, whether Ray should have been suspended following his arrest, rather than waiting for a charge – and if cllr Fitzgerald would be considering his position as a result of the convictions.
Cllr Fitzgerald said: “The group followed party procedures and used the normal protocols in that an arrest of a member does not usually warrant an automatic suspension. We also had no details about the precise nature of the allegations at that time. However, as soon as he was charged and the specific allegations became known he was immediately suspended from the group and thus the party.
“Whilst he was under investigation council officers and ourselves undertook a review from a safeguarding perspective and we were mindful of any risks that may have arisen at the time and put in measures to mitigate those risks. He also had at that time not admitted to any of the allegations nor had he been charged with anything.
“We had no powers or authority to remove him from the council as an elected member and his remaining time as a councillor naturally lapsed when he did not re-stand for election in May 2026. He has of course been on remand ever since and we have had no further discussion since the suspension.
“We all as individuals cannot know every detail about somebody's private or personal life and we like many of course were shocked by these revelations which have since come into the public domain. We of course have condemned this shocking behaviour by our former member, and we do understand the hurt and suffering this will have caused to all those involved.
“I believe as a group at the time we did all that we could or should have done given the facts we had to hand"
“As for my own position and that of my colleagues. I believe as a group at the time we did all that we could or should have done given the facts we had to hand and abiding by the rules under which we operate as a group and a party. I should also say that I am not personally liable for an individual's behaviour nor can I be held accountable for what they do in heir private lives and in their own time.”
Cllr Fitzgerald added: “We are pleased to learn that the legal process has now run its course with verdicts coming in today and that sentencing will be determined by the court in due course.”
What has Rylan Ray been found guilty of?
Before his trial began, Ray pleaded guilty to two counts of causing or inciting a boy to engage in sexual activity, and causing a child to look at an image of sexual activity.
During the trial he admitted a further two offences of making indecent images of children.
He stood trial to face the other charges at Ipswich Crown Court from 5 October, and after 24 days, jurors found him guilty of 23 further offences. The charges for which he will now be sentenced for include:
Rape a man
Engaging in non-penetrative sexual activity with a boy
Five counts of engaging in sexual communication with a child
Five counts of causing a child to watch/look at an image of sexual activity
Three counts of sexual assault
Three counts of causing or inciting a boy to engage in non-penetrative sexual activity
One count of causing or inciting a boy aged to engage in penetrative sexual activity
Three counts of making indecent photos of a child
One count of possess an extreme pornographic image portraying rape
He will be sentenced at Ipswich Crown Court on 8 January.